Contemporary Problems With Campaign Finance Reform: PACs, Parties, and The People

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1998
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Haverford College. Department of Political Science
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Thesis
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Award
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
This report will examine the problems of campaign finance reform as it has been approached in the last year. Using the McCain-Feingold Bill as a leaping off point, this thesis will look at possible solutions to the major problems in campaign finance today, as well as the difficulties with the contemporary proposed solutions. Political action committees (PACs) play an integral role in the electoral process, and therefore are a primary focus of the difficulties with finding a solution to the dilemma. PACs have a tremendous financial and ideological stake in the legislative process, and the political arena where they can have the greatest impact is in elections. With their tenacity to survive as political beings, combined with the candidate's need for campaign funds and the public's comparative apathy to PAC action, when compared to 1974, the height of mobilization against corruption in the government. The main topics that will be addressed are as follows: A brief history and techniques of political action committees within the electoral process. The recently failed McCain-Feingold Bill and its major problems with partisan disagreements, unwilling incumbents and protective PACs. Suggested solutions by The Aspen Institute and Brookings; good policy alternatives, though they violate the most basic of rights: Freedom of Speech. How the mobilization of the electorate will be the only solution for generating any campaign finance reform.
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